The Qualicum Weavers and Spinners Guild supports personal growth in the fibre arts through study groups, workshops, mentoring and sharing of experience.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

On Public Display

Here we are again making a public display of ourselves. This time we are surrounded by paintings in the McMillan Art Gallery in Parksville. Mac Fun Days, an event organized by the Oceanside Arts Council (We are a member group in this umbrella organization) was yet another opportunity for us to "show off", and spread the fun with fiber message.
We selected warm colours for our display and included various yarns and finished products to show the variety of talents within our guild.

Mary's tiny spinning device was interesting from both a mechanical and a historical point of view. It prompted a lot of questions about its design and its link with the emergence of nationalism in India.
Sometimes we forget that the very action of making fiber into yarn and yarn into cloth has had dramatic impacts on living standards and social systems in all cultures. Perhaps it is important to keep the simple processes alive just so that we can understand how we arrived at today. Maybe today's spinners and weavers are in themselves "historical" pieces (my apologies to anyone who takes that as a comment on age).

What can be so interesting to this little group gathered on the floor?

The young lady is learning to spin with a chop stick by rolling it against her leg. The ultimate low tech method of creating yarn with origins that are so ancient we can only imagine them. A drop spindle must have seemed a technological marvel compared to this method.

Our cloth making equipment did not provide the same history lessons but nevertheless we had a group of very enthusiatic weavers like this lad who threw the shuttle and beat the fell. This small 2 harness Leclerc loom is ancient to us. Its simplicity makes it ideal for teaching both the general concepts of weaving and how a harness loom works. The warp is gradually turning into cloth. It has reached that point that every weaver will recognize when the trail of paper hanging from the warp beam signals the end is in sight, the halfway point is long gone and it is time to plan for the next warp.

If you missed us at the McMillan Gallery then look for us at The Old School House (TOSH gallery) on Saturday July 28th.

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About Us

The Qualicum Weavers and Spinners Guild has been part of the Oceanside artisan community since 1991. The guild evolved from a small group of students of noted local weaver Elaine Duncan to approximately 50 members. The group promotes the fibre arts through information sharing, demonstrations and workshops. The group meets the fourth Monday of the month at Qualicum Commons in Qualicum Beach to exchange ideas and learn. Much of the learning occurs in the form of show and tell with individual artisans sharing their experiences. Study groups, workshops and mentoring all support the guild's goal of fostering personal growth in the fibre arts. The guild is a member of the Oceanside Arts Council, The Association of North West Weaving Guilds and the Guild of Canadian Hand Weavers.

Guests are welcome to attend our monthly meetings. For the schedule see Guild Events.

Links of Interest

ELEGANT THREADS

Elegant Threads is the annual show and sale of the Qualicum Weavers and Spinners.

It features one of a kind hand spun yarns, unique clothing, household linens and decor and whimsical creations. All of the items are hand crafted by members of the guild.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the sale including family members who provided the heavy lifting.

Thanks also to Winterfest for helping with the promotion.

If you missed the show look for us in November of 2018

Guild Events

January 16 to 30th, Knitting Basics lessons, Qualicum Commons

January 24, 10 am to 3 pm, Beginners Weaving Course, This course runs for 5 weeks on Wednesdays. It takes place at the guild studio at 744 Primrose St, Qualicum Beach. For more information contact weaversatelier@shaw.ca

Feb 22, 2pm , Exploring More Study Group meeting Qualicum Commons

Feb 23 and 28, Nuno Felting 1 day Workshop, Qualicum Commons (Feb 23rd session is full). This workshop is open to non-members. Contact us if you are interested in attending the Feb 28th session.

Feb 27, 10 pm, Annual General Meeting, Qualicum Commons

March 5 and 12, 1 to 4 pm, Learning Weaving Drafts. Day 1, the basics, Day 2 profile drafts. This workshop is open to non-members. Contact us if you are interested.

Tuesdays 10 am to 12 pm, Spinning group meets most Tuesdays at the guild studio in Qualicum Commons